Divan having adjustable catenary and horizontal layout positions

ABSTRACT

The invention disclosed relates to a divan having a resting surface which may be adjusted between a catenary configurated position and a horizontal layout configurated position by simple manipulation of pivotal support members and relative movement of two longitudinally extending parallel members between which is disposed a flexible supporting surface.

United States. Patent 1 1 Mazzucconi DIVAN HAVING ADJUSTABLE CATENARYAND HORIZONTAL LAYOUT POSITIONS [75] Inventor: Vittorio Mazzucconi,Milan, Italy [73] Assignee: ICF De Padova S.r.1., Milan, Italy [22]Filed: Aug. 6, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 385,977

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Aug. 26, 1972 Italy 28549/72 [52]US. Cl 5/47, 5/37 R, 5/61 [51] Int. Cl. A47c 17/16 [58] Field of Search297/63, 64, 457, 458;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Traver 5/236 B Jan. 28, 19752,769,987 11/1956 Thai 5/37 R 3,013,281 12/1961 Steiner.... 5/623,458,877 8/1969 Edwards. 5/47 3,565,482 2/1971 Blodee.... 297/4583,695,685 10/1972 Lamb 5 37 R FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 636,1148/1962 Belgium 5/37 Primary ExaminerCasmir A. Nunberg Attorney, Agent,or Firm-Kurt Kelman 1 I ABSTRACT The invention disclosed relates to adivan having a resting surface which may be adjusted between a catenaryconfigurated position and a horizontal layout configurated position bysimple manipulation of pivotal support members and relative movement oftwo longitudinally extending parallel members between which is disposeda flexible supporting surface.

5 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures DIVAN HAVING ADJUSTABLE CATENARY ANDHORIZONTAL LAYOUT POSITIONS This invention relates to a divan havingadjustable catenary and horizontal layout positions. More particularly,the present invention provides a divan having pivotal bracket memberswhich simply and efficiently adjust the rest or support surface betweena catenary configurated position for seating use and a horizontal layoutconfigurated position for bedding use. Thus, the present divan may beutilized either as a resting couch or as a bed as desired.

Divans or the like are well known in the art such as those wherein theinclination of the back rest can be adjusted to a horizontal positionwhile keeping unchanged the relative position of the seat portion. Suchprior art divans have a number of disadvantages including thenon-uniform distribution of the users weight in the seating positionfrom both the resting surface in horizontal positions and the adjustableinclined back portion in upright position. An uncomfortable seatingarrangement is thus presented by such divans. Furthermore, becausegreater firmness or support is received from the more sturdilyconstructed seat portion relative to the more simply constructedadjustable back rest portion, there again results non-uniformdistribution of weight of the user in the bedding position withresulting loss of comfort.

During conversion of divans of the prior art into beds, annoyingdrawbacks are frequently encountered. For example, when the bed isformed using the seat portion, its width is insufficient and moreover,the seat is spaced from the back rest portion, both seat and backportions joining to different contrivances or devices for opeation. Whenthe bed surface is formed by the seat along with the tilted back, thetilted back is supported by pliable frames, or by retractable feetmembers or the like, which heavily increase the weight, overall sizesand costs of such a piece of furniture.

It has now been found that by practice of the present invention, thereis provided a divan which simply and efficiently converts from acatenary seating position to a horizontal layout bedding position bysimple manipulation of pivotal bracket means and relative movement oftwo longitudinally extending parallel cross members between which isdisposed a flexible supporting surface.

According to the present invention, the adjustable divan includes twolongitudinally extending, parallel cross members between which is firmlysecured a flexible supporting surface which may be formed of one or morelengths of canvas, bands, belts or the like, and which takes the shapeof a catenary curve according to the position of the parallel crossmembers. One of the parallel members may be moved pivotally from ahorizontal plane, with the supporting surface stretched horizontally, toa plurality of elevated positions obtained by detaining one of theparallel cross members, while lifting the other cross member along acurved path. Thus, a catenary shape is imparted to the supportingsurface which becomes suitable for the use as a divan, with a more orless steeply inclined back as desired.

Both of the longitudinally extending, parallel cross members may bepivoted by the same, or different amounts, whereby different positionsare available for the supporting surface. One or both of the parallelmembers may be pivotally supported for movement along a required pathwhich may be a portion of an arc of a circle. The pivoted support mayconsist of brackets, leaf springs, props, stays, levers or the like.Also,

the pivoted support is desirably configurated such that 5 it may becontrolled at will by the user.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the divan includestwo rigid oppositely disposed shoulder members joined by alongitudinally extending tubular shaped cross member. Recesses areprovided at convenient locations on the shoulder members for receivingand securing two longitudinally extending, parallel cross membersbetween which is disposed a flexible supporting surface. At least one ofthe longitudinally extending, parallel members is pivotally joined by 5a pivoted support bracket to the tubular shaped cross member. Desirably,the flexible supporting surface is formed of a plurality of bands, beltsor the like, having a length which is substantially equal to thedistance, between the two parallel members when they are engaged withsaid recesses. Thus, in the horizontal position for bedding, theflexible support surface is tightly drawn or taut whereas in the seatingposition the support surface is flexible and in catenary position.

The rest surface for the user may be formed by members such asself-supporting cushions, coverings, paddings, mattresses or the likepositioned on the flexible supporting surface.

According to the invention, a rear cross member, supported by pivotedbrackets extending from the central cross member, can be brought to mostany station ary position within a limited curved arch having as itscenter the axis of said central cross member. The limited arch startsfrom the point in which the rear cross parallel member is supported bythe shoulder recesses to a near vertical position. Such motion isimparted to the cross member by the pivotal brackets, by means of aself-locking mechanism. Such a self-locking mechanism may include a wormgear, or a clutch with front or peripheral claws or the like, adapted toangularly adjust the pivotal brackets to a required position, and tofirmly retain the cross member at such position.

The linear shape of the flexible supporting member extending betweenouter parallel cross members is maintained unchanged in horizontalbedding position. The different, more or less bent shapes of a catenarycurve, results in sitting position under no-load conditions, while underthe weight of user, a shape results which corresponds to thedistribution of load.

Therefore, it can be readily appreciated that a continuous rest surface,without any separation resulting between the seat and the back restportions, is available by the present divan, which back rest can beadjusted or tilted as previously indicated.

The forward cross member may be also supported by pivotal brackets suchthat the position thereof can be controlled from the centralcross-member in similar fashion to the rear cross-member; thus, it ispossible to occupy nearly all possible required positions across asemicircle shaped between the recesses of the shoulder members. Thedivan may have a more or less high seat, or have a more or less inclinedback, to that of a longitudinally extending bed, i.e., when both outerparallel cross-members are at the same level in the recesses of theshoulder member. One or both of these parallel cross members may behigher than the lower ends of said recesses, and with the flexiblesupporting surface disposed therebetween.

The pivotal brackets, by which one or both outer parallel cross-membersare supported, may be rigid or resilient, according to the particularmaterial of which they are made, or to their given shape.

Practice of the present invention will be better appreciated from thefollowing description of a preferred embodiment thereof, taken with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a divan of the present invention withoutcovering, cushions, lining or the like.

FIG. 2 is a partial horizontal section taken along sectional lines IIIIof FIG. 1, showing the detail of a seating and control of the centralcross-member, and of brackets fastened thereto.

FIG. 3 is a vertical section, taken along sectional lines of III-III ofFIG. 2, showing internal elements of a trim adjusting device.

FIG. 4 is a side view showing the divan of FIG. 1 in inclined seatingposition.

FIG. 5 is a side view showing the divan of FIG. 1 in extended horizontallayout position for bedding use.

FIG. 6 is a side view illustrating an embodiment of the presentinvention in inclined seating position.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 6 in horizontal layoutposition for bedding usage.

Referring to FIG. 1, the divan illustrated includes two elongated sideshoulder members 1 and 2 having a small height as desired. Alongitudinally extending central cross-member 3 is firmly supported nearthe centers and between both side shoulders, thus being prevented fromturning about its own axis. Forward recesses 4 and 5, and rear recesses6 and 7, having axes parallel to the axis of the central cross member 3,are disposed on the shoulder members for receiving and seating ends offore cross member 8 and rear cross member 9.

Forward recesses 4 and 5 extend symmetrically, in respect of centralcross member 3, to rear recesses 6 and 7. The rear cross member 9 issupported by the pivotal brackets 10 and 11, which are arcuate andextend from the central cross member 3. The brackets can be swung by aself-locking gear 12 which is designed to be driven by the user, eithermanually or by motor, through a handle 13. A canvas, or a row of bands,belts or the like, as shown in FIG. 1 by element 14, i.e., a flexiblesupporting surface, extends between the fore cross member 8 and the rearcross member 9. The length of the flexible supporting surface is equalto the horizontal distance between the fore recesses 4 and 5 and therear recesses 6 and 7. As shown in FIG. 2, one of the ends of brackets10 and 11 are rotatably journaled on tubular shaft 15. Both ends ofinner shaft 15 of cross member 3 are rigidly connected with bearingelements 311 which are secured to shoulder members 1 and 2 by crosswiseextending plates 16 that are firmly engaged therewith.

Also fastened to inner shaft 15 is an outer casing of mechanism 12 bywhich brackets 10 and 11 are driven. This mechanism may be of anyconventional selflocking type and, as shown in the FIGS. 2 and 3,preferably has an outer casing made of two sections 12a and 12b. Wormscrew 17, driven by handle 13, is disposed in two-part casing 12 and isseated in bearings 17a and 17b. Worm screw 17 is in mesh with worm gear18 which is rigidly connected with the outer tubular shaft 19 extendingin coaxially spaced relation to the inner shaft 15. The outer tubularshaft 19 may be rotated about shaft 15 by operation of worm gear 17. 18to pivot brackets 10 and 11 about shaft 15. Also, the worm wheel 18 isrevolvingly supported by the inner stationary shaft 15 by which allloads weighing on rear cross members 9 are likewise supported.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, a side view of the divan of FIG. 1 ispresented, complete with cushions or paddings 20 or the like, while inFIGS. 6 and 7 show an embodiment of the divan of FIG. 1, wherein theforward cross member 8 is supported in like fashion as the rear crossmember 10 and 11 by brackets 10a and Ila. fitted in a similar manner tocross member 3. In the embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7, the pivotal membersmay be moved by either one or two mechanisms 12 and handle 13, to obtaineither a simultaneous or independent pivotal motion of the brackets bywhich the parallel cross members 8 and 9 are supported.

The operation of the present divan will become more apparent from thefollowing description.

The two shoulder members 1 and 2, resting on a floor, are kept spacedfrom each other by the central cross member 3 which is secured to theshoulder members by crosswise extending plates 16 that can be positionedinto the shoulders by an amount sufficient to take up the torquepressure exerted onto the cross member 3 by the rear member 9 and thebrackets 10 and 11, when the divan is utilized as a seat. As previouslyindicated and shown with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the cross member 3consists of a central shaft 15, whose ends 3a are secured to shouldermembers I and 2, and by which the vertical load weighing upon the rearcross member 9 is taken up. When the inclination of the back portion,i.e., member 9, and the position of the flexible supporting surface areto be adjusted or changed, handle 13 is operated whereby, through theworm gear 17, 18 and the outer tubular shaft 19, the brackets 10 and 11are pivoted into the required position. The gearing l7 and 18 should beof the selflocking type, i.e., after having turned the brackets 10 and11 to the required position, they must steadily remain in such positioneven under a load. The divan in bedding position is shown in FIG. 5,with the flexible supporting surface taut in horizontal position,wherein it can be utilized as either a temporary resting couch or as abed. In this position, bands 14 are stretched between the side members 8and 9, and may sag under the users weight by an amount as desired,dependent upon the material of which they are made, and the tensionapplied thereto.

FIGS. 6 and 7 respectively show the divan in a to seating position andin use as a bed. In this embodiment, the forward cross member 8 is alsosupported by pivotal brackets 10a-l la, similar to those by which thecross member 9 is supported, and which may be turned by drives similarto those previously described, or by equivalent means. Thus, thepossibility is also presented whereby the forward member 8 may bepositioned at a higher level, or alternately to bring both members 8 and9 to the same level in order to obtain a resting couch with a greateramount of sag, the latter being shown by dash lines in the FIG. 7.

In each case, the outer ends of the brackets run through arcs as shownby dot and dash lines in the figures, and can be stopped in any pointthereof. Brackets 10 and 11 and 10a and 11a may be made of a resilientmaterial such as metal leaf springs, and by a suitable selection ofmaterials and of spring shapes, slight translatory motions can beperformed by the outer cross members. Also, the brackets may be formedof other materials such as plastic, wood or the like as desired. Othertypes of drives may be utilized in place of those previously described,or no drives need be used.

It is understood that the foregoing detailed description is given merelyby way of illustration and that many variations may be made thereinwithout departing from the spirit of this invention as defined.

What is claimed is:

1. An adjustable divan comprising 1. a pair of horizontally extending,substantially parallel cross members defining a first plane,

2. a flexible supporting surface disposed between,

and suspended from, the cross members,

3. a third horizontally extending cross member intermediate, andsubstantially parallel to, the pair of cross members defining the plane,

a. the third cross member extending in another plane lower than thefirst plane when the latter is horizontal, and

4. bracket means pivotally mounting one cross member of the pair on thethird cross member for positioning the one cross member at a continuoussuccession of levels between a first postiion wehrein the first planedefined bythe pair of cross members extends substantially horizontallyto continuously successive positions wherein the one cross member iselevated to successively higher levels above the horizontal plane,

a. the flexible support surface having a length permitting it to bestretched between the pair of cross members in the first positionthereof to form a bed and b. the flexible support surface defining acatenary curve in the continuously successive positions to form acombined unitary seat and back rest.

2. The adjustable divan of claim 1, wherein the flexible supportingsurface comprises a plurality of parallel bands having respective endsaffixed to the pair of cross members.

3. The adjustable divan of claim 1, further comprising means on thethird cross member for pivoting the bracket means into the first andsuccessive positions and for locking the bracket means in each of thepositions.

4. The adjustable divan of claim 1, further comprising a pair ofshoulder members extending in planes substantially perpendicular to thecross members, the third cross member being affixed to the shouldermembers, and the shoulder members defining recessed seats arranged toreceive the ends of the pair of cross members for support thereof.

5. The adjustable divan of claim 1, further comprising a second bracketmeans pivotally mounting the other cross member of the pair on the thirdcross member for positioning the other cross member at a continuoussuccession of levels between a first position wherein the plane definedby the pair of cross members extends substantially horizontally tocontinuously successive positions wherein the other cross member iselevated to successively higher levels above the horizontal plane.

1. An adjustable divan comprising
 1. a pair of horizontally extending,substantially parallel cross members defining a first plane,
 2. aflexible supporting surface disposed between, and suspended from, thecross members,
 3. a third horizontally extending cross memberintermediate, and substantially parallel to, the pair of cross membersdefining the plane, a. the third cross member extending in another planelower than the first plane when the latter is horizontal, and
 4. bracketmeans pivotally mounting one cross member of the pair on the third crossmemBer for positioning the one cross member at a continuous successionof levels between a first postiion wehrein the first plane defined bythe pair of cross members extends substantially horizontally tocontinuously successive positions wherein the one cross member iselevated to successively higher levels above the horizontal plane, a.the flexible support surface having a length permitting it to bestretched between the pair of cross members in the first positionthereof to form a bed and b. the flexible support surface defining acatenary curve in the continuously successive positions to form acombined unitary seat and back rest.
 2. a flexible supporting surfacedisposed between, and suspended from, the cross members,
 2. Theadjustable divan of claim 1, wherein the flexible supporting surfacecomprises a plurality of parallel bands having respective ends affixedto the pair of cross members.
 3. The adjustable divan of claim 1,further comprising means on the third cross member for pivoting thebracket means into the first and successive positions and for lockingthe bracket means in each of the positions.
 3. a third horizontallyextending cross member intermediate, and substantially parallel to, thepair of cross members defining the plane, a. the third cross memberextending in another plane lower than the first plane when the latter ishorizontal, and
 4. The adjustable divan of claim 1, further comprising apair of shoulder members extending in planes substantially perpendicularto the cross members, the third cross member being affixed to theshoulder members, and the shoulder members defining recessed seatsarranged to receive the ends of the pair of cross members for supportthereof.
 4. bracket means pivotally mounting one cross member of thepair on the third cross memBer for positioning the one cross member at acontinuous succession of levels between a first postiion wehrein thefirst plane defined by the pair of cross members extends substantiallyhorizontally to continuously successive positions wherein the one crossmember is elevated to successively higher levels above the horizontalplane, a. the flexible support surface having a length permitting it tobe stretched between the pair of cross members in the first positionthereof to form a bed and b. the flexible support surface defining acatenary curve in the continuously successive positions to form acombined unitary seat and back rest.
 5. The adjustable divan of claim 1,further comprising a second bracket means pivotally mounting the othercross member of the pair on the third cross member for positioning theother cross member at a continuous succession of levels between a firstposition wherein the plane defined by the pair of cross members extendssubstantially horizontally to continuously successive positions whereinthe other cross member is elevated to successively higher levels abovethe horizontal plane.